Falmouth Coastguard guides man and daughter to safety

A man and his five-year-old daughter were safely guided back to shore after becoming lost in thick fog off Padstow yesterday

Falmouth Coastguard guided a man and his
5-year-old daughter back to safety after they became lost in fog near Padstow.

The coastguard received a 999 call just
before 6.20pm on Sunday evening from a man who had lost track of where he was.

He had to use his mobile phone to make
contact as his VHF radio on board wasn’t working.

After explaining his recent passage, the
coastguard sent out a Pan Pan alert asking for other boats in the area to help.

A nearby fishing vessel located the man and
his daughter approximately four miles off shore.

They were guided back to Padstow, where the
local coastguard rescue team met them.

Falmouth Coastguard watch officer Simon
Dennis told This is Cornwall: “It was lucky that this man managed to get
in touch with us so we could help track down his whereabouts and send rescue
resources to help.

“With his VHF radio out of order, he
had to rely on his mobile phone to raise the alarm. He also didn’t have any
lifejackets on board.

“We always urge people to check the
weather before they set off, just in case they get caught out in fog like this
evening. You also need make sure all your communications equipment on board is
working so you can call for help if needed. We also want to take this
opportunity to remind people to wear a lifejacket. It’s useless unless worn,
and could save your life.”